WWII US Remington Rand 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1945 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1625

LSB#: 210419MB40

Make: Remington Rand

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 2222489

Year of Manufacture: 1945 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)

Caliber: .45 A.C.P.

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “REMINGTON RAND INC. / SYRACUSE, N.Y. U.S.A.”. The left of the frame below the magazine release and the top of the slide in front of the rear sight are marked with a “P” acceptance proof. The slide’s “P” marking appears to have been stamped over another very light mark. The left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked “FJA” (Frank J. Atwood Lt. Col., Sub-Inspector for Ithaca, Remington Rand and Union Switch), again appearing to be stamped over another marking. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 2222489”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and at the rear with an Ordnance wheel. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “4″, the rear is marked “X” and the left front is marked “2”. The top of the frame near the disconnector and the rear face of the slide under the firing pin plate are each marked “G”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the right is marked “HS”. The top of the floorplate toe is marked “R”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a slight ramp fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have light handling wear with a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. There are tool marks in the reinforcement rings. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Phosphate

Finish Originality: Refinished, likely Arsenal Refurbished

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in scattered minor nicks, scratches and scuffs. There are a few more notable marks such as a couple of dings in the left-side slide serrations. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete (common). Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is very light play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine and a black leather flap-holster. The magazine has minor operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fine-plus condition. The holster is marked “US” in oval on the flap and “S-B CO.” on the belt loop (Straus-Bodenheimer Saddlery Co.). The holster has scattered wear with areas on the back worn to brown, infrequent fraying and cracking, and intact stitching, in about Good-plus condition.

Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. This is a 1911-A1 pistol made by Remington Rand in 1945, at the close of WWII. It is correctly marked for a Remington produced pistol, in the proper serial range and appears to have been arsenal refurbished at some point. The pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition with 92% of its new finish remaining. This pistol should garner a lot of interest from the collectors of WWII pistols, and 1911s in particular, especially with its Straus-Bodenheimer Saddlery holster. Please see our photos and good luck!